Steyn gets yellow, Horne & Hames suspended

Super Rugby's organizers SANZAR have issued Sharks back Frans Steyn with an off-field yellow card and suspended Waratahs winger Rob Horne and Highlanders prop Kane Hames each for a week.

SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe SC has accepted a guilty plea from Francois Steyn of the Sharks for contravening Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous tackling, after he was cited during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

Steyn has been issued an Off Field yellow card for the incident which occurred in the 16th minute of the match between the Sharks and Waratahs in Durban on Saturday.

SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe SC assessed the case and said, "Video evidence of the incident showed that Steyn executed initially a legitimate tackle on his immediate opponent by grabbing the bottom of the jumper of the Waratahs player, Kurtley Beale with both hands.This was done at speed and in a dynamic situation."

Waratahs winger Horne and Hames both also pleaded guilty and have been suspended from all forms of the game for one week up to and including 6 April 2014.

Horne contravened Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous tackling when his arm made contact with Frans Steyn in the 16th minute of the match on Saturday.

In his finding, Mr Lubbe said ,"Video evidence of the incident clearly showed that Horne's right arm made contact with Sharks player, Francois Steyn in the neck and jaw area with what appeared to be a swinging arm. This was also recorded as such in the report of the Citing Commissioner."

"Mr Anthony Black SC made helpful submissions on behalf of the player, relating to the execution of the tackle and pointed out that the initial contact point of Horne's right arm was with the upper arm of Steyn and then slipped up to make contact with Steyn's neck and jaw.

"Waratahs head coach Michael Cheika also explained the 'double tackle technique' that was used and submitted that the tackle went wrong, resulting in contact with Steyn's neck and jaw. There is support for this explanation in one of the angles of the video evidence.

Kane Hames of the Highlanders for contravened Law 10.4 (h) Dangerous charging in the 59th minute of the match between the Blues and Highlanders at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday

SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe SC assessed the case and said, "Video evidence of the incident clearly showed that Hames entered the ruck without using his arms and made contact with the head/neck area of the Blues player in the process. "

"The action was not carried out with great speed and/or excessive force and I agree with the submission of Mr Rob Harris on behalf of the player that the player clumsily executed the clearing action at the ruck without direct intent to harm his opponent."